South Russell, OH to West Chester, OH is 104.7 miles and takes about 2h 18m via Akron Expressway and US 250, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Ohio. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey. With a drive time under 2.5 hours and a modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.3 miles from South Russell, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Akron Expressway
61 mi
1h 11m
US 250
11.7 mi
13m
SR 258
7.7 mi
13m
Johnson Avenue
6 mi
9m
I 271
5.1 mi
5m
Cannon Road
4.5 mi
8m
Solon Road
1.7 mi
4m
Outerbelt East Freeway
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Akron Expressway
— 61 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Russell, OH and West Chester, OH.
1
Start on Bell Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Bell Road
2
Continue on Bell Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Bell Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 35
109 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
4
Turn slight right onto North Franklin Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·North Franklin Street
5
Turn right onto CR 11
0.3 mi·47 sec·Maple Street
6
Continue on CR 11
1.7 mi·4 min·Solon Road
7
Turn right onto Cannon Road
3.7 mi·6 min·Cannon Road
8
Continue on SR 175
0.8 mi·1 min·Cannon Road
9
Continue on Rockside Road
0.5 mi·58 sec·Rockside Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 271 South, I 480 EastUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 480
0.6 mi·42 sec·Outerbelt South Freeway
12
Merge onto I 271; I 480
1.1 mi·1 min·Outerbelt East Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
5.1 mi·5 min·I 271
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
1.5 mi·2 min
Exit 18AToward SR 8 South: Boston Heights, Akron
15
Merge onto SR 8
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·Akron Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 250
9.9 mi·10 min·US 250
17
Take the exit onto US 250; SR 800
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 250; SR 800
Toward US 36, US 250, SR 800: Dennison-Cadiz, Newcomerstown
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 250; SR 800
1.7 mi·2 min·US 250; SR 800
Toward US 250 East, SR 800 South: Cadiz-Dennison
19
Continue on SR 800
0.6 mi·1 min·SR 800
20
At end of road, turn left onto SR 800
495 ft·8 sec·Center Street
21
Continue on SR 800
0.3 mi·30 sec·Jewett Avenue
22
Turn left onto SR 800
0.1 mi·9 sec·Taylor Avenue
23
Turn slight right onto SR 800
6.0 mi·9 min·Johnson Avenue
24
Turn right onto SR 258
7.7 mi·13 min·SR 258
25
Turn left onto SR 342
188 ft·3 sec·SR 342
26
Arrive at destination
SR 342
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of 2h 18m, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it’s wise to ensure your tank is full before leaving South Russell to avoid any mid-route stops. The longest stretch on the Akron Expressway is 61 miles, so plan your breaks before or after this segment to keep your drive comfortable.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.3 miles from South Russell, OH, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 23 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.3 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Chester, OH than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Russell, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Russell, OH
This is one driving day of about 104.7 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from South Russell, OH.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Akron Expressway for about 61 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 88.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|CR 35 / North Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR 35 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
8
8.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the ramp toward I 271 South, I 480 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 271 South, I 480 East
6
10.6 mi into trip|~21m in|I 271
Keep slight left at fork onto I 271
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
15.7 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward SR 8 South: Boston Heights, Akron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 18A
Toward SR 8 South: Boston Heights, Akron
6
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|US 250; SR 800
Keep slight left at fork onto US 250; SR 800 toward US 250 East, SR 800 South: Cadiz-Dennison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 250 East, SR 800 South: Cadiz-Denniso...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.25 one way
$32.50 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.38
$18.03
$36.07
premium
$4.91
$20.24
$40.47
diesel
$5.61
$23.12
$46.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.4
0
$10.99
$5.03
Efficient EV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
EV Truck/SUV
41.9
0
$14.66
$6.70
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
South Russell, OH
Morning
in South Russell on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Chester, OH
Morning
in West Chester on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph13% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Greensburg, OH
52 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 18m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 84% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Akron Expressway and US 250. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 61 miles on the Akron Expressway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While the profile is highway-focused, the inclusion of SR 258 suggests a potential shift in road type as you get closer to your destination. Prepare for a steady drive with minimal interruptions for most of the 104.7 miles.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61 mi on Akron Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Akron Expressway and US 250. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near CR 35 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 104.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (CR 35 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Russell, OH and West Chester, OH, road signs point toward Akron and Newcomerstown.
Akron
15.7 mi in|~27m
Newcomerstown
88.1 mi in|~1h 51m|via US 250; SR 800
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 104.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61 miles on Akron Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at West Chester, OH before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (CR 35 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (I 271): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cuyahoga Valley National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Chester, OH before heading back.
